Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus: A Portal to Mumbai’s Vibrant Past

Ever wonder why the BMC building in Fort, Mumbai is taller than the CSMT station
building, that too by just 20 metres? Well, there is a very interesting story behind it that
ranges from dynamic power displays to mysteries of missing statues. So let’s hop right into it.

OVERVIEW:
Did you know that the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus was not always named so? It
went from being called Boree Bunder, to Victoria Terminus (VT station) to CST before it was
decided that Shivaji must be referred to as Maharaj, a great king or emperor, thus the addition
of the ‘M’ in CSMT. It is one of Mumbai’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. It serves as a major railway terminus for both local and long-distance trains and
is used by more than 2 million commuters daily.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) was built in 1887 to commemorate the Queen
Victoria’s Golden Jubilee (it was originally named Victoria Terminus in her honour).
This monument is the epitome of Victorian Gothic architecture, the characteristics of this
genre standing out; arches, stained glass, flower shaped windows, pillars and even gargoyles.
Designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens, this was the biggest and finest
functional railway station of those times.

FEATURES:
There are so many things that even these commuters won’t know of, regardless of their
frequent presence here. To an outsider, it would just seem like an average railway station, but
the history behind this monument is astounding. You can only appreciate the true beauty of
this place after looking around the Star Chamber and the unsupported spiral staircases in the
domes, after analysing every stone structure adorning the facade of this building. Look
around and you will see marble and stone portraits of the 10 founders of this station,
peacocks and birds etched into the stone, a 14 feet statue of the Lady of Progress and much
more. Find out about the story of the missing statue of Queen Victoria by making a trip to the
Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

A BATTLE OF POWER:
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) building stands next to the CSMT station.
Both these iconic landmarks were designed by the British architect Frederick William
Stevens, who worked for the British colonial government in India. The BMC building was
built just 10 years after the latter’s construction. It is also a Grade IIA heritage site, a blend of
Venetian Gothic and Indo-Saracenic architectural styles. One very interesting fact is that the
dome of this building was purposely built larger that the station’s to make this monument
taller. This was done to show the greater power that the British had, as this building was
originally occupied by them while the station was gifted to the Indians.

LOCATION:
Near CST Station, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India.

DANGER:

We are slowly forgetting to inquire, be curious about the history of such monuments, instead
only revelling in the functionality of it.